8/31/16: Master, Glass Animals, MadeinTYO

@@@ Master: Epiphany of Hate (Rico Unglaube, 2016).  Some metal that I got to somewhat obtusely via the heavy metal newsletter I get each week.  I was initially looking for a record called ‘Let’s Start a War’ by a band called Master but there are many bands called Master and I don’t know if this is the same crew.  Very straight ahead, no bullshit sound with tasty thrash drumming, a sloppy caveman on the microphone and some accelerated threedling on the guitar.  I like the song titles here opening up with ‘Subdue the Politicians’ right into ‘Fiction Soon Becomes Reality’.  You gotta check this human on the mic, it’s quite a show.  You can kinda maybe glean some of what he’s slobbering on about but I don’t find it nearly as annoying as classic caveman stylings.  He sounds all fucked up on cough syrup.  Check these guys out, I dig the guitarist and the drummer.

@@@ Glass Animals: How to Be a Human Being (Wolf Tone, 2016).  A world music/indie mash I got to via the Apple Music new music section.  This first tune Life Itself is a lightly funk tune with hand drumming and a decent groove with indie loverboy vocals over the top.  There’s a bit of an explosive transition into the chorus so while these guys are blurbed as indie rockers there’s a strong pop element to these tracks.  Indie electronic out of Britain.  The third tune Season 2 Episode 3 is full on white people funk — it’s aight but I’d rather throw 1999 on.  These guys are from Britain and they’re way more into mashing up the sounds which I dig so expect a pu pu platter of sounds here.

@@@ MadeinTYO: Thank You, Mr. Tokyo (Private Club, 2016).  A hip hop record off the Apple Music new music section.  It’s a bit of an odd duck as it has a lot of the signifiers of a gangsta hip hop record but the MC appears to be smoking quite a bit but his lyrics are fuzzy and unclear which is better than straight hateful gangsta lyrics.  I don’t know the story of this record but the MC has an interesting style on the mic and the sounds are trippy and entertaining.  I found on Wikipedia that Mr. TYO spend time as a child in Japan and then came back to Atlanta which would explain the Asian references on the cover and in the title of the record.

YTD recordings listened to: 696
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 392
Not good music: 256

Honorable Mentions: 12
Buys: 11

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Dave Arner Trio, Zomby, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Fofoulah, Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Destruction Unit, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Mystic Braves, Divanhana, Unrestrained, Moken, Systema Solar, Brian Eno, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, The Lickshots, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, Miramar, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Changui Majadero, Joe Sticky, Vieux Kante, Keefe Jackson, Unfun

8/30/16: Albert Castiglia, Myriad3, Joseph Israel

@@@ Albert Castiglia: Big Dog (Ruf, 2016).  Some rocking electric blues that I got to via the CFUV weekly playlist email.  Castiglia’s guitar tone is extremely close to Stevie Ray Vaughan’s famous piercing sound but Castiglia has a super gruff voice which lends a different vibe to the tunes.  Homie is drinking a lot of coffee to get to this level of energetic guitar playing.  I don’t usually go for this modern style of electric blues (making a big exception for Stevie Ray Vaughan) because it’s so close rock but Castiglia takes the energy and roughness very close to punk blues.  He doesn’t seem interested in much besides turning his amp up and playing his ass off.

@@@ Myriad3: Moons (Alma, 2016).  Another record off CFUV’s weekly playlist email.  This first tune opens up very Bad Bad Plus with some mathy piano and an understated and simple rock beat underneath.  The first tune takes the energy down and the second tune Noyammas gets more deeply into the jazz/rock rhythm section vibe.  It’s all right.  Regular readers know I prefer the fiery improv so this polished and more restrained approach is a stretch for me.

 

@@@ Joseph Israel: Paradise (Lions of Israel, 2016)  A sticky old school (think Peter Tosh) roots reggae record I got to via the CFUV weekly email.  From fetching this clip off the GooglePimpTube I see that Mr. Israel appears to be of the White Rasta tribe and he gets pretty deep into Rasta/Old Testament moralizing.  The sounds are pretty high end here with touches of modern production epic-ness without serving up the full cheese plate.  I’m not sure I can get with Mr. Israel’s depiction of himself on the video below.

YTD recordings listened to: 693
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 389
Not good music: 255

Honorable Mentions: 12
Buys: 11

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Dave Arner Trio, Zomby, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Fofoulah, Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Destruction Unit, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Mystic Braves, Divanhana, Unrestrained, Moken, Systema Solar, Brian Eno, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, The Lickshots, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, Miramar, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Changui Majadero, Joe Sticky, Vieux Kante, Keefe Jackson, Unfun

8/29/16: Willie Bob, Dub Realistic, Meta Meta

@@@ Willie Bobo: Dig this Feeling (U-S, 2014)   A single off an upcoming full length that I got to via the WRIR weekly email.  The tune, Broasted or Fried opens up funky funky with a popping bass line, tasty swing cymbal and chicken scratch guitar.  Mr. Bobo left this mortal coil about thirty years ago and this tune sounds very fresh and modern so Imma guessing this is a remastered reissue.  However pay that not much mind and witness the funky horn playing but a special shout out to the rhythm section.

@@@ Dub Realistic: Dubblestandart (Echo Beach, 2016).  Also off this week’s WRIR weekly email.  This is not a classic roots sound but it does sport fat pulsing bass.  I’m not feeling the downtempo/trip hop female singer so let’s move to the second tune.  It’s a long record (2 and 1/2 hours!!!) but Imma tipping early as I like some of the sounds, dislike some of the others and I’m not super into the vocalizations I’ve heard to this point.

@@@ Meta Meta: MM3 (Jazz Village, 2016)  Also off this week’s WRIR and today’s last listen of the day.  The first tune opens up world/jazz/proggy with a sinouous bass line, some hand drumming, and minimal clean guitar (plus saxophone).  They get to rocking in the second half of the song and the female singer works the mic hard.  These folks are Brazilian (wait let me verify-nope can’t verify) and I like the singer but the band not so much.

YTD recordings listened to: 690
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 387
Not good music: 254

Honorable Mentions: 12
Buys: 11

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Dave Arner Trio, Zomby, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Fofoulah, Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Destruction Unit, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Mystic Braves, Divanhana, Unrestrained, Moken, Systema Solar, Brian Eno, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, The Lickshots, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, Miramar, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Changui Majadero, Joe Sticky, Vieux Kante, Keefe Jackson, Unfun

8/27/16: Cisco Adler, Local Natives, Anthony David

@@@ Cisco Adler: Don’t Kill My Buzz (Bananabeat Records, 2016).  Frat boy slacker blues tune off the front page of Apple Music.  This is the white folks’ version of ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’ another tune I loathe.  I’m sure Mr. Adler is a helluva guy but I would not hesitate to drop him into the lion cage at the Bronx zoo.  I’m aware that would kill his buzz….and him! I’m sure he’s sending this tune out to all the Syrian refugees out there with there misery and death — Adler and his listeners don’t want to hear none of that.  This is for the white rasta ganja/chronic dippers with heads full of resin.

@@@ Local Natives: Coins (Loma Vista/Concord, 2016) Also off the Apple Music front page and it’s sounding like it’s gonna be an adult alternative, feelings drenched half rocker with a piano!  The singer has a bit of whoa ho to his voice and about two and one half minutes in the break gets epic with some peaking vocals and lots of background vocals.  The vocal hook keeps asking how much is enough?  And I’ve wondered the same during the course of this tune.  This is for the bored cubicle dwellers looking for a shot of fresh air.

@@@ Anthony David: Beautiful Problem (Shanachie, 2016)  A contemporary r&b single I got after seeing David’s new album on this week’s All Music weekly notable release email.  It’s more dramatic than club leaning although it’s not bereft of club sounds.  David layers an almost gospel over the top of the arrangement and he can sing.  It’s a solid B as far as I’m concerned but check it out for yourself.

YTD recordings listened to: 687
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 385
Not good music: 253

Honorable Mentions: 12
Buys: 11

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Dave Arner Trio, Zomby, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Fofoulah, Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Destruction Unit, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Mystic Braves, Divanhana, Unrestrained, Moken, Systema Solar, Brian Eno, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, The Lickshots, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, Miramar, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Changui Majadero, Joe Sticky, Vieux Kante, Keefe Jackson, Unfun

Yet another reason why streaming services suck b*lls!

From Bloomberg here:

Spotify has been retaliating against musicians who introduce new material exclusively on rival Apple Music by making their songs harder to find, according to people familiar with the strategy. Artists who have given Apple exclusive access to new music have been told they won’t be able to get their tracks on featured playlists once the songs become available on Spotify, said the people, who declined to be identified discussing the steps. Those artists have also found their songs buried in the search rankings of Spotify, the world’s largest music-streaming service, the people said.

 

8/26/15: Mitski, Anna Tivel, Com Truise

@@@ Mitski: Puberty 2 (Dead Ocean, 2016).  A rising indie rock singer/songwriter according to Apple Music.  I got to this record via last week’s CFUV weekly email.  Folks know I’m not the hugest indie fan but this first tune is all right.  Oh, I don’t like that sax (or synth sax).  Let’s peep more as this first tune has morphed in the wrong direction.  The second tune is a rocker and I think I like it more when it’s quirky and weird and less when it’s rocking.

@@@ Anna Tivel: Heroes Waking Up (Fluff and Gravy, 2016).  This is yer big, spacious folk/alt country roots music.  Big Daniel Lanois production, lots of reverb and space. The arrangement is sparse and the sounds are very nice.  The lyrics are a bit not to my taste — I’m not entirely sure why they grate on me slightly but they do.

@@@ Com Truise: Silicon Tare EP (Ghostly Int’l, 2016).  I’ve dug previous Ghostly Int’l releases so I try to check out some of their releases.  This first tune is like an old school hip hop/disco tune, the beats especially.  I know some folks out there have mad love for these sounds but I’m not one of those people.  Let’s peep another track or two.  I expect Madonna to hop in here with some awful lyrics at any point here.  Big old synth sounds and early drum machine action.  If that’s what gets you worked up check it out.

YTD recordings listened to: 684
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 384
Not good music: 251

Honorable Mentions: 12
Buys: 11

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Dave Arner Trio, Zomby, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Fofoulah, Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Destruction Unit, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Mystic Braves, Divanhana, Unrestrained, Moken, Systema Solar, Brian Eno, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, The Lickshots, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, Miramar, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Changui Majadero, Joe Sticky, Vieux Kante, Keefe Jackson, Unfun

8/25/16: Jordan Fisher, Lakuta, Justin Wells, MAC MILLER

@@@ Jordan Fisher: Jordan Fisher EP (Hollywood Records, 2016).  Real deal electro r&b off the Apple Music new artists section.  Very slick production and quite breathy vocal stylings.  The verse on this first tune was pretty minimal but the chainsway synth patch and the Star Wars bleep show comes on in the chorus.  Let’s peep more.  This is full loverboy action though the second tune contains more cheesy sounds.  Mr. Fisher is a handsome young bi-racial man so he’s ready for Instagram fame and fame in general despite his fairly average r&b.

@@@ Lakuta: Brothers & Sisters (Tru Thoughts, 2016).  I’m a bit surprised to see this Afrobeat plus other sounds mash on the Apple Music new artists section.  Maybe money changed hands?  No, not the music business!  Oh my a gay friendly Afrobeat anthem starting this record, the times they are a changin’.  It’s solid Afrobeat on this first tune, let’s peep more.  I like the bass line in this second tune, Rice & Peace, very Tony Allen-esque.  This second tune does introduce a mostly rocking guitar solo and a funkier vibe than just straight Afrobeat.  The lyrics here are upbeat and positive, and I dig the bass player a whole bunch and overall it’s a solid effort.

@@@ Justin Wells: Dawn in the Distance (August Music, 2016).  Get your twang on with this effor that ‘wraps rusty r&b in a classic country finish’.  Wells has a classic raggedy voice and if he’s to be believed he’s had a tough road.  Maybe too many truckstop burritos?  This second tune Still No Rain features some very nice widely panned acoustic guitar fingerpicking and it’s just more hard luck and no rain for Wells.  This third tune, The Dogs, discards the sad songs for a lonesome Bruce Springsteen-y rocker and Imma kinda missing the down and out slow tunes now.

@@@ MAC MILLER: We (featuring CeeLo Green) We finish up today’s listening with a trippy hip hop/r&b mash single I got to via the front page of Apple Music.  He’s got mad guests on this record and this one has CeeLo Green.  Miller is a white boy and his flow on the mic is a tad flabby though I do dig the guitar hook and the drum sound.  Here’s CeeLo and he’s got a little ol’ school falsetto working and he’s kinda shaming the white boy.

YTD recordings listened to: 681
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 380
Not good music: 249

Honorable Mentions: 12
Buys: 11

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Dave Arner Trio, Zomby, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Fofoulah, Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Destruction Unit, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Mystic Braves, Divanhana, Unrestrained, Moken, Systema Solar, Brian Eno, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, The Lickshots, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, Miramar, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Changui Majadero, Joe Sticky, Vieux Kante, Keefe Jackson, Unfun

8/24/16: Jaclyn Bradley Palmer, Michael Buble, Sabaton, Metallica

@@@ Jaclyn Bradley Palmer: The Dutch Sessions (Self-released, 2016).  Powerfully female folk rock I got to via the Indiepulse music blog.  If you sport an external appendage in your underpants be forewarned that there are a lot of feelings going on here.  Unabashedly as well.  The second tune, All That Might Have Been is an acoustic guitar strummer and it’s a song of lost love and again, many many feelings.  Let’s finish up this listen with the third tune, I Choose Joy.  As one would expect from a tune called I Choose Joy it’s a happy stomper with a tambourine.  When she’s down she chooses joy.  I’m not sure that makes a lot of sense but choose joy dammit.

@@@ Michael Buble: Nobody But Me (Gets Paid!) (Reprise Records, 2016).  I love the Buble and wailing upon him cuz he is a cheese slinger par excellence.  This is a snazzy little Elvis Presley-esque pop confection.  Not Fat Elvis either, snappy Elvis.  Would it be cheeky to call this bubbly by Buble?  Catchy is one thing, low IQ achiever is a whole nother.  This song is what it smells like when a rich old lady farts in an elevator and makes the elevator operator gasp.  He’s got an MC rapping on this tune, kill me!  I’m not going to finish this tune so hopefully he won’t get paid his 2/10ths of one slim cent.

@@@ Sabaton: The Last Stand (Nuclear Blast, 2016).  A heavy metal record I got to via the Apple Music heavy music section.  Power chord, synth blast, war chants, and cue the despair on my part.  I’m predicting an epic singer, a real rag tight around the dick type.  I am wrong as we get not a screamer but a serious intoner.  Wrong again! This first tune commemorates the final stand of Sparta vs. the Persians and I had no idea the Spartans had a last meal solely consisting of stinky cheese.  Let’s peep one more as this is painful.  I guess this is heavy metal.  Not the stuff I really like but heavy metal, it’s kinda Disney metal.  Mickey metal.

@@@ Metallica: Hardwired (Blackened, 2016).  A single off a full length due in November.  Oh how times have changed, Lars is wearing a hat on Apple Music because he’s bald as a baby’s dick.  The tune is an old school thrash bumper with Hetfield’s classic delivery — We’re so fucked, shit out of luck is the vocal hook.  Sing it brother.  I was going to say the mix sounds a little thin and the kick drum sounds like a sock full of dead rats but I thought I would check that up against other Metallica records.  I’m listening to Enter Sandman (1991) and it’s much thicker.  Same with Master of Puppets.  And back to this new track and it is just squashed to fuck, loud as shit but kinda clippy and stupid.  What can you do — it’s so fucked.  7.5 million views for this soggy squashed biscuit?  That’s fucked!

YTD recordings listened to: 677
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 377
Not good music: 248

Honorable Mentions: 12
Buys: 11

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Dave Arner Trio, Zomby, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Fofoulah, Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Destruction Unit, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Mystic Braves, Divanhana, Unrestrained, Moken, Systema Solar, Brian Eno, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, The Lickshots, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, Miramar, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Changui Majadero, Joe Sticky, Vieux Kante, Keefe Jackson, Unfun

8/23/16: Frank Ocean, Lindsey Stirling, Watsky, HIRIE

@@@ Frank Ocean: Blonde (Boys Don’t Cry, 2016).  If you’re a music fan you know already that you can’t take a shit in the last week or ten days without finding Frank Ocean in your bathroom.  Did he seel out by going exclusive with Apple Music, is he for real any more?  He’s got a freakass pitch shifter (?) on his voice on this first tune and I think it’s kinda cool he did that and it also detracts from the tune.  I thought Mr. Ocean’s last record was more than a bit hyped — he’s got a real simple lo-fi approach sonically which if you’re not into it could come across as not geniues but rather shallow and simple.  As far as I can tell Senor Ocean is all about the vibe.  Oh I don’t love this second tune Ivy, let’s peep more.  This third tune is more polished and sonically interesting — a tight drum loop and nice bass line here.  He’s got some skills but this isn’t really jump up and down material for me.

@@@ Lindsey Stirling: Brave Enough (Lindseystomp Records, 2016).  Off this week’s Apple Music new music section.  Ms. Stirling is an EDM-violin sensation, I can’t wait for that EDM club snare roll and some four on the floor.   Oh this first tune has a heavy New Age stench to it — like a warehouse full of cheese in Iowa and the refirgeration has gone kaput.  This first tune will probably outperform the second tune Brave Enough.  If a song has the title Brave in it you’re pretty much fucked from the git go.  Oddly enough I’m drawn to it like a car wreck.  And I will quote lyrics!  There’s some things she should have said, but she was too afraid!  And now it’s too late!  I wish I was, I wish I was brave enough to love you (and this record).  Oh man this is an ugly dog that ate a synthesizer and a violin and is trying to pass them and get on with his leg humping life.

@@@ Watsky: x Infinity (Steel Wool/EMPIRE, 2016)  White boy hip hopalert!! And produced by vegan billionaire russell Simmons.  At least Eminem had the decency to rap really high and that made his schtick more interesting.  Watsky has a thin tone to his rapping and I say this as a card carrying white person (white person in skin only) but this guy sounds mad Wonderbread and nerd-a-fied.  I would rather listen to Christian hip hop and this brother needs a George Clinton dookie stick.

@@@ HIRIE: Wandering Soul (Rootfire, 2016).  An updated, partially electro lovergirl record I got to via the WRIR weekly email.  Very slick production and relaxed feeling to this first tune.  There is an urgent climax to the first tune before it gears down to a slower second song, Good Vibration.  I like some of the sounds and a few of the dub effects are really ear catching but I prefer the rougher reggae business and while I like the singer I don’t love her work on the microphone.

YTD recordings listened to: 673
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 375
Not good music: 246

Honorable Mentions: 12
Buys: 11

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Dave Arner Trio, Zomby, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Fofoulah, Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Destruction Unit, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Mystic Braves, Divanhana, Unrestrained, Moken, Systema Solar, Brian Eno, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, The Lickshots, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, Miramar, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Changui Majadero, Joe Sticky, Vieux Kante, Keefe Jackson, Unfun

 

 

8/22/16: Lisa Hannigan, Ed Harcourt, Eddie Levert

@@@ Lisa Hannigan: At Swim (ATO, 2016)  ‘Gently mystic’ folk tunes off this week’s All Music weekly email.  The first tune is pretty with some very nice vocals, muted acoustic guitar strum, and electric guitar wash in the background.  The second tune, Prayer for the Dying, brings on the piano and the drummer.  I don’t hear anything particularly ear catching in the playing or the lyrics but the music is very pretty.  I’m not sure pretty is enough for me (and I don’t mean to be a bitch about it), but check her out.

@@@ Ed Harcourt: Furnaces (Polydor, 2016).  Some more meaningful white people’s music off this week’s All Music notable release email.  These are ‘regal and powerful indie hymns’ according to his Apple Music blurb for the record.  After a choir-y intro piece the second tune, The World is on Fire, is a bit of a Nick Cave inspired slow tear jerker.  Unfortunately for Mr. Harcourt, Mr. Cave does it better.  Let’s peep a tad more.  Third tune and it’s still a bit overwrought and Imma finishing up my listen with the title track and it’s just a wee bit much for me.  Check for yourself.

@@@ Eddie Levert: Did I Make You Go Ooh? (Blackbyrd, 2016).   A new record from one of the frontman from the O’Jays.  I would say the closest reference I have for this record is Sign O’ the Times by Prince.  Upbeat funk with some guitars.  I like Levert’s vocals, they’re understated and work well within the arrangements.

YTD recordings listened to: 669
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 373
Not good music: 244

Honorable Mentions: 12
Buys: 11

Possibles: Chris McGregor, Dave Arner Trio, Zomby, Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, The Ballantynes, Slidhr, The Chewers, Toxic Holocaust, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, Lenguas Largas, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Fofoulah, Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Leviathan, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Destruction Unit, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Gentleman Surfer, Satoko Fuji, Mystic Braves, Divanhana, Unrestrained, Moken, Systema Solar, Brian Eno, Juan Atkins, Drone, Lantern, The Lickshots, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, Miramar, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Changui Majadero, Joe Sticky, Vieux Kante, Keefe Jackson, Unfun